Yuma Regional Medical Center Program

The Family & Community Medicine Residency program at Onvida Health in Yuma, Arizona, is a robust three-year program designed to enhance residents' knowledge and skills as primary care providers. The residency is affiliated with the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona, Midwestern University, and the Mayo Clinic, all providing a rich educational experience in a community setting. The program currently holds a status of "Continued Accreditation" from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is the sole residency offered at Onvida Health, which is a 406-bed community hospital serving a diverse population of over 200,000 people in Yuma County.1

Residents engage with medically underserved populations and face a wide range of healthcare challenges, including dealing with a substantial influx of winter visitors. The geographic location of Yuma allows for unique experiences, including care integration with the Mexican healthcare system and collaboration with four different American Indian tribes.1

To foster communityintegration, residents participate in various outreach events, local health fairs, and sports physicals for student athletes, enhancing their understanding of community medicine and primary care practices.

Curriculum Overview

The Family & Community Medicine Residency features a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes evidence-based practices in primary care. The program includes a dedicated 4 hours each week for core Family Medicine lectures, conferences, and workshops, further reinforced with six months of elective time. This flexibility allows residents to specialize in areas of interest such as sports medicine, women’s health, medical research, pain management, and more.1

Orientation for first-year residents takes place in July. Each residency year comprises different rotations intended to diversify clinical experience, incorporating practice management and medical ethics throughout.1

Rotations

The curriculum includes various rotations over the three years:

• PGY1: Family Medicine Principles (4 weeks), Adult Inpatient Medicine (12 weeks), Ambulatory Medicine (4 weeks), Cardiology (4 weeks), Public Health/Health Systems Management (4 weeks), Emergency Medicine (4 weeks), Diagnostic Imaging/Otolaryngology (4 weeks), Newborn/Inpatient Pediatrics (4 weeks), Orthopedics/Podiatry (4 weeks), Outpatient Pediatrics (4 weeks), and Selective (4 weeks).
• PGY2: Adult Inpatient Medicine (8 weeks), Dermatology/Nephrology (4 weeks), Elective (8 weeks), Emergency Medicine (4 weeks), Endocrinology (4 weeks), Intensive Care Unit (4 weeks), Psychiatry (4 weeks), Obstetrics (4 weeks), Outpatient Pediatrics (4 weeks), Surgery (4 weeks), Women’s Health (4 weeks).
• PGY3: Adult Inpatient Medicine (8 weeks), Ambulatory Medicine (4 weeks), Elective (12 weeks), Geriatrics (4 weeks), Obstetrics (4 weeks), Wound Care/Hematology (4 weeks), Pain Management (PM&R) (4 weeks), Outpatient Pediatrics/Community Medicine (4 weeks), Telehealth (4 weeks), Sports Medicine (4 weeks).

Application Process

The application process for the residency program is competitive, accepting ten PGY1 positions annually. To qualify, applicants must be graduates from medical school, with a strict eligibility criteria that excludes those graduating before 2020. All applications are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) starting in September each year, and the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) governs the interviewing and matching process.1

The program conducts interviews from October to January, and applicants must be aware that the program strictly adheres to NRMP policies.

Compensation and Benefits

Residents receive a competitive salary structure:

• PGY1: $63,361.44
• PGY2: $67,473.18
• PGY3: $70,271.50

In addition to the salary, the Family & Community Medicine Residency at Onvida Health provides a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Temporary relocation housing for up to three months
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Matching 401(k) plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• CME Allowance: up to $750 for PGY2 and $1,500 for PGY3
• Paid leave for CME and 20 days of paid vacation annually

Resident Wellbeing

The program is dedicated to the emotional and physical well-being of its residents. The wellness program includes resources such as mental health assessment and support, physical health initiatives, spiritual health services provided by on-site chaplains, and financial counseling for managing debts and expenses.1

Overall, the Family & Community Medicine Residency at Onvida Health not only commits to comprehensive medical training but also prioritizes a holistic approach in cultivating skilled, empathetic, and community-focused physicians.